Aside from Faye Dunaway . . . can you think of any female actresses today, that even approach this level of hyper-anxiety? Who are they? And why do we so enjoy watching these overwrought, women?
Full Version: Barbara, Bette And Joan . . .
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachmentThat's how they were known, from studio to studio. The Three Neurotics. Anytime a role required quick movements, a cracked-up personality, and immediate timing, these women were sought out, first by studio heads. What is it, do you think, that makes neurotics so much fun to watch? You can't take your eyes off of them . . . what will they do, next? I would add Vivien Leigh, Ida Lupino, and Kim Stanley, to this list. (Ms. Stanley starred in Seance on a Wet Afternoon . . . on the verge of hysteria, the entire time.) Geraldine Page had some neuroses to her perfoming, too. She was truly at the far edge of the world, during Woody Allens' dark drama: Interiors
Aside from Faye Dunaway . . . can you think of any female actresses today, that even approach this level of hyper-anxiety? Who are they? And why do we so enjoy watching these overwrought, women?
Aside from Faye Dunaway . . . can you think of any female actresses today, that even approach this level of hyper-anxiety? Who are they? And why do we so enjoy watching these overwrought, women?
I think that Jane Fonda or Stockard Channing could probably do a convincing job of hyper & hysteria...
I wonder how Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron would do in a Bette/Joan type role??
Cher, perhaps...?
I wonder how Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron would do in a Bette/Joan type role??
Cher, perhaps...?
Don't miss Dick Cavett's 1972 interview of Betty Davis; It'll be shown on TCM next Thursday(Oct. 5). It's a hoot.
Honestly, I can't think of a contemporary actress that can do that.
Your shot of Barbara is from "Sorry Wrong Number", remember at the end of the movie when she's about to be murdered and she sees someone coming up the stairs ..... is that not the BEST you've ever seen? It was so engrossing, she totally had me suffering in angst with her! She was so engaging - I think it's the eyes. It's all about the eyes in that scene. Magnificent acting. Bette had the 'eye' action too in "The Letter", those blank stares, sooooo psycho - awesome stuff.
I think Robert Downey Jr. is that calibur of 'psychotic/suffered/neurotic' actor. I think he can really project suffering and mental anguish like no one else can. Johnny Depp comes really close too but I don't think he's had enough of those kinds of roles that take him into that range. But I can't think of a woman in today's hollywood cirlce that could do that.
Your shot of Barbara is from "Sorry Wrong Number", remember at the end of the movie when she's about to be murdered and she sees someone coming up the stairs ..... is that not the BEST you've ever seen? It was so engrossing, she totally had me suffering in angst with her! She was so engaging - I think it's the eyes. It's all about the eyes in that scene. Magnificent acting. Bette had the 'eye' action too in "The Letter", those blank stares, sooooo psycho - awesome stuff.
I think Robert Downey Jr. is that calibur of 'psychotic/suffered/neurotic' actor. I think he can really project suffering and mental anguish like no one else can. Johnny Depp comes really close too but I don't think he's had enough of those kinds of roles that take him into that range. But I can't think of a woman in today's hollywood cirlce that could do that.
oh, sillage, those are all fantastic links!! Thank you so much!!nubka, I think that Stockard Channing does a very good, tightly wound woman. She was flabbergasting, in Six Degrees of Separation. See it, if you haven't.
Tommaso . . . that interview is classic. Some of the finest, television, ever. Thank you for the heads up!
Irinadax, I tend to agree with you. Look at this photo of Barbara Stanwyck. LOOK AT THAT. I'm sorry, but I don't think any actress working today, can achieve these feverish pitches of emotion. Interesting too, that these three women, were always turning down each others' parts. Bette turned down Mildred Pierce. Joan accepted it, and won an Oscar. Barbara turned down All About Eve. Bette accepted, to great acclaim.
Regarding male actors, I'd go with Montgomery Clift and Kirk Douglas. Trever Howard, as well. Marlon Brando was capable of explosive outbursts of emotion, but I wouldn't have called him, neurotic. If you haven't seen A Place in the Sun, do so. The Big Carnival, with Kirk Douglas, is compelling. Watch Trevor Howard chew up the scenery, in Mutiny on the Bounty.
Can't think of anyone today except the mother in Hollywod, Bollywood. I do not know her name. She did a magnificent job of maintaining a state of hysteria.
Armanis, I just have to say I am a big Ida Lupino fan. She doesn't get mentioned very much but I consider her one of the greatest actresses of all time.
Armanis, I just have to say I am a big Ida Lupino fan. She doesn't get mentioned very much but I consider her one of the greatest actresses of all time.
Fiveoaks . . . Ida Lupino was a marvelous actress. Very, very TIGHTLY wound!! I loved her, too . . . ever see the Lucy Desi Comedy Hour, in which she and hubby Howard Duff, co-starred? Very funny . . .
How about:
Lara Flynn Boyle
Amanda Peet
Jessica Lange
Shannon Doherty
Rebecca DeMornay
?
Lara Flynn Boyle
Amanda Peet
Jessica Lange
Shannon Doherty
Rebecca DeMornay
?
Click to view attachmentrasputin . . . no
The only ones I can think of, would be Faye Dunaway, who's way up there, in age. Or Stockard Channing, who's also up there, in age. Glenda Jackson might be another . . . she's also up there, in age. The others can't even touch the 'big three.'
The only ones I can think of, would be Faye Dunaway, who's way up there, in age. Or Stockard Channing, who's also up there, in age. Glenda Jackson might be another . . . she's also up there, in age. The others can't even touch the 'big three.'
QUOTE (Irinadax @ Sep 29 2006, 01:51 PM) 
Honestly, I can't think of a contemporary actress that can do that.
Your shot of Barbara is from "Sorry Wrong Number", remember at the end of the movie when she's about to be murdered and she sees someone coming up the stairs ..... is that not the BEST you've ever seen? It was so engrossing, she totally had me suffering in angst with her! She was so engaging - I think it's the eyes. It's all about the eyes in that scene. Magnificent acting. Bette had the 'eye' action too in "The Letter", those blank stares, sooooo psycho - awesome stuff.
I think Robert Downey Jr. is that calibur of 'psychotic/suffered/neurotic' actor. I think he can really project suffering and mental anguish like no one else can. Johnny Depp comes really close too but I don't think he's had enough of those kinds of roles that take him into that range. But I can't think of a woman in today's hollywood cirlce that could do that.
Your shot of Barbara is from "Sorry Wrong Number", remember at the end of the movie when she's about to be murdered and she sees someone coming up the stairs ..... is that not the BEST you've ever seen? It was so engrossing, she totally had me suffering in angst with her! She was so engaging - I think it's the eyes. It's all about the eyes in that scene. Magnificent acting. Bette had the 'eye' action too in "The Letter", those blank stares, sooooo psycho - awesome stuff.
I think Robert Downey Jr. is that calibur of 'psychotic/suffered/neurotic' actor. I think he can really project suffering and mental anguish like no one else can. Johnny Depp comes really close too but I don't think he's had enough of those kinds of roles that take him into that range. But I can't think of a woman in today's hollywood cirlce that could do that.
Just a thought, but do roles like that even come a long anymore? Movies are so different now from the way they used to be (which is why I like older movies!)
All great actresses, I love them all. I can't believe how many films Barbara actually did in her career even though I heard that Joan had a longer career, of course from having started out in the silents before sound no doubt.
Bette, well, what can one say about this woman? She's just the cat's flaps to me. She may've not been a perfect mother like Joan and even Marlene (both equally screwed up ladies to their offspring) but I still love their work and have much much respect for them all.
Bette, well, what can one say about this woman? She's just the cat's flaps to me. She may've not been a perfect mother like Joan and even Marlene (both equally screwed up ladies to their offspring) but I still love their work and have much much respect for them all.
I just thought of another actress, who's very good at neuroses: JUDY DAVIS. She played Judy Garland, in the television biography. Excellent job.
mando, I'd be surprised if ANY of these women, could handle a family, and a gigantic career. Those are two, full time jobs. Nobody can do that. Look deep enough, and you'll find that many, many a famous person . . . espcially in the arts . . . did not have good luck with their own attempts to raise families. Bing Crosby had trouble with his children. Mary Tyler Moore's son, killed himself. So did Paul Newman's. Bette Davis's daughter wrote a seething tell all, about her mother; she labeled Bette a hopeless neurotic who couldn't handle losing the role of Scarlett, in GWTW. Loretta Young's daughter didn't get along with her mother, either . . . many harsh incidents relayed, when I heard the young woman, interviewed. Then there was LANA TURNER'S daughter, Cheryl Crane . . . I think that story, takes the cake.
mando, I'd be surprised if ANY of these women, could handle a family, and a gigantic career. Those are two, full time jobs. Nobody can do that. Look deep enough, and you'll find that many, many a famous person . . . espcially in the arts . . . did not have good luck with their own attempts to raise families. Bing Crosby had trouble with his children. Mary Tyler Moore's son, killed himself. So did Paul Newman's. Bette Davis's daughter wrote a seething tell all, about her mother; she labeled Bette a hopeless neurotic who couldn't handle losing the role of Scarlett, in GWTW. Loretta Young's daughter didn't get along with her mother, either . . . many harsh incidents relayed, when I heard the young woman, interviewed. Then there was LANA TURNER'S daughter, Cheryl Crane . . . I think that story, takes the cake.
Trully neurotic? And relatively young too?
Look no further than Parker Posey.
Don't let the silly laughing pic on profile deter you....
Runner up choice: Catherine Keener
Look no further than Parker Posey.
Don't let the silly laughing pic on profile deter you....
Runner up choice: Catherine Keener
Click to view attachmentthanks, Helg . . . I'll have to check them out.
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